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🚨 Addressing Critical Issues in Nursing Home Oversight 🚨 The nursing home sector is currently grappling with a critical challenge: as they confront the federal government's staffing mandate, severe survey inspection backlogs are significantly delaying facilities' ability to comply with minimum staffing requirements and qualify for exemptions. "Due to these extended delays in inspections, nursing homes are finding it increasingly difficult to demonstrate compliance with staffing standards and obtain necessary exemptions," explained a spokesperson from CMS. This backlog means facilities must wait longer to receive crucial assessments of their operations, which are essential for meeting regulatory requirements. In response, CMS has proposed a $492 million allocation in its fiscal 2025 budget—a 21% increase over FY 2023—to bolster survey capacities and ensure comprehensive oversight. Jodi Eyigor from LeadingAge highlighted the implications of these delays, emphasizing the added challenges for nursing homes in areas already experiencing workforce shortages. "This backlog places additional burdens on facilities striving to provide essential care," Eyigor emphasized. While CMS anticipates many facilities could potentially qualify for exemptions, practical concerns suggest that actual approvals may be fewer due to these operational hurdles. As the industry works to address these complexities, stakeholders advocate for solutions that facilitate rather than hinder nursing homes in meeting evolving care standards, ultimately ensuring quality care for seniors. #NursingHomeCare #CMS #HealthcareRegulation #StaffingMandate #SeniorCare

Caring for the elderly in long-term care facilities is a critical and challenging task. Here are some important statistics and insights: Growing Need: The U.S. has over 1.3 million residents in nursing homes, with numbers increasing as the population ages. High Costs: The annual cost of nursing home care can exceed $90,000 per resident. Workforce Challenges: Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) play a vital role, yet they face high workloads and often receive limited support. #ElderCare #LongTermCare #Healthcare #AgileSystems #CNASupport #PatientCare #HealthcareInnovation

None of us wants ourselves or our parents to 'end up in a nursing home,' which is how we think of it. We think of it that way because nursing homes have a reputation for poor quality care. The US government wants to change that by mandating higher levels of staffing. More employees should mean better care. Problem is...where are they? My story for NPR https://lnkd.in/gm9E5m7R #aging #olderadults #healthcare #agingwell

🏥 Exciting News for Nursing Homes in New Jersey! 🏥 Governor Phil Murphy's proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 brings promising changes for nursing homes in the state. The proposal includes a significant increase in care quality incentive payments, almost doubling the maximum payment from $12.60 to $23.25 per resident per day. One of the key focuses of this proposal is on nursing home staffing levels, introducing new benchmarks under the Quality Incentive Payment Program. The program will now evaluate total nursing hours, staff retention rates, and efforts to prevent inappropriate weight loss. This move aligns with the recent federal staffing rule by CMS, prompting calls for additional funding nationwide. It's heartening to see New Jersey taking proactive steps to support nursing home providers in meeting these standards. While there's enthusiasm about these incentives, there are also discussions about the potential challenges, especially regarding additional costs and staffing requirements. However, this initiative reflects a commitment to improving resident outcomes and aligning with national care standards. Let's continue supporting initiatives that enhance care quality and ensure the well-being of our elderly population. Together, we can create a brighter future for nursing home residents in New Jersey! #Healthcare #NursingHomes #QualityCare #NewJersey #ElderCare https://lnkd.in/d6c7Gdn6

If you think this won't affect you at some point, #thinkagain. 💭 Federal estimates suggest 70% of people ages 65 and older will need long-term care during their lifetime. Help protect the industry that provides that care! We're in unprecedented times and our lawmakers need to #payattention! The community #healthcare system needs nursing homes to continue to provide a continuity of care. The federal staffing mandate does NOT favor ensuring the longevity of nursing homes and other long term care providers. #readup 📰 #listenup 👂 #speakup 📣

⭐ Understanding the Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System Choosing the right nursing home can be challenging, but the Five-Star Quality Rating System is a helpful tool! 🌟 But what do those stars really mean? In our latest blog, we break down the Five-Star Rating System and explain how it can guide your decision-making process. Learn about: ✅ What each star category represents ✅ How ratings are determined ✅ How to use the system to compare nursing homes effectively Make informed choices with confidence! Check out the blog: https://ow.ly/pkx050TywfM #NursingHomeCare #FiveStarRating #SeniorCare #ElderCare #Healthcare #ViewAllOptions

Interesting article from Tadhg Daly. The current business model does not favour the stand alone Nursing Home. The burden placed on operators due to significant increases financially and the ever increasing (and changing) regulatory requirements is making it very difficult to operate. Are we heading for a situation where it is only the group operators that will be able to sustain the costs associated with these burdens?

The new facility assessments for nursing homes, now in effect, are receiving mixed reviews from operators. Feedback ranges from them being useful for enhancing transparency and adjusting staffing to concerns about cost and redundancy. Required by CMS, these assessments are part of a broader federal staffing mandate to ensure facilities can meet residents' needs. https://buff.ly/3YFAoNL #longtermcare #seniorcare #heatlhcare

Nate Schema, Good Samaritan Society president and CEO, shared insights on the new federal nursing home staffing rule with McKnight's Long-Term Care News, suggesting that virtual care may be the only way rural facilities could meet the new requirements. “It’s impossible to imagine how a skilled nursing facility in a town of 1,500 people will be able to find 24/7 coverage for an RN when they already have open RN positions they can’t fill today,” he said. “Instead of requiring an RN to be in a rural nursing home 24 hours a day, why not create a pathway to complement care with virtual RN services? Virtual care is a common-sense, forward-looking approach to support resident care needs while protecting access to care.” Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4bg0BWV

Skilled Nursing road to recovery after COVID- 19: The labor crisis brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic compelled certain nursing home providers to modify their business strategies in 2023, a period that some leaders referred to as the "year of recovery." As they contemplate the upcoming year of 2024 and grapple with an imminent federal staffing mandate, numerous nursing home providers aim to capitalize on these efficiencies. However, they also harbor concerns about potential looming threats. Has your facility successfully bounced back from the pandemic? Have you observed any positive changes, or are there enduring effects that persist? Check out this article below. Thank you Marc Zimmet and Nate Schema for your input in the article. https://lnkd.in/gC9hAv7J